by Tanya Agler
“Danny’s supposed to go with me to Seattle on Monday. I have to report to Fort Lewis. It’s in Danny’s best interests to remain with family.” Aidan didn’t recognize his voice. He’d worked all around the world on many difficult missions, and this was the first time his voice sounded weak, as though he’d lost all control of the situation, which he had.
Penelope shut the file and folded her hands. “I suggest the two of you come to an understanding about what’s in Danny’s best interests and where his permanent residence will be. It’ll mean more in the long run if you two are in agreement without involving legal counsel or the court system. May I suggest a follow-up meeting next Tuesday at the same time with your decisions?”
Nothing was going as planned on this trip. Instead of returning to Fort Lewis with Danny early Monday, Aidan would have to call his commanding officer and request family leave time.
Penelope glanced at Natalie, and Aidan turned her way as well. Natalie nodded, while Aiden let out a silent sigh.
Somehow, he had to convince Natalie before next Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. that he was the best guardian for Danny.
CHAPTER FOUR
AIDAN WAS STRUCK by how blue the sky was as he walked down Main Street on his way to the Eight Gables bed-and-breakfast. To his left, Natalie matched him stride for stride, her bright pink cowboy boots thumping along the sidewalk. His sister had left custody of her son to a woman who wore cowboy boots in summer.
It wasn’t that Hollydale seemed like a bad place to raise a boy. His maternal grandmother had lived in a small town like this, and he’d enjoyed a couple of weeks each summer with her exploring her farm before his mother’s death. Then he’d lived with his father, who was in the military and transferred on a yearly basis, and hadn’t visited her again.
He’d moved on, and so would Danny.
At this point, there was no other option. He needed to contact his superior officer for that extra time away to convince Natalie and Ms. Romano he was the best choice to be Danny’s guardian. There wasn’t a moment to spare.
In doing so, he’d be going against Shelby’s wishes. Should Danny stay with the person who’d cared for him over the last three months?
Everyone in the military knew you didn’t leave a soldier behind. Aidan wouldn’t leave Danny behind either.
That brought some relief.
“I hope you don’t mind my walking with you. I stopped at Eight Gables, intending for us to go together to Penelope’s office, but you’d already gone, so I left my car there and headed over to the law office. It’s such a gorgeous day, not too hot and no trace of rain.”
He turned toward Natalie, who sent a smile in his direction.
“Besides, there’s something special about seeing the Fourth of July decorations go up, don’t you think?” Natalie tapped his arm, and a shiver of awareness at her touch stopped him in his tracks.
Her carefree charm struck him at his core, and he understood why his nephew might be captivated by someone whose blue eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. However, her innate trust and easy acceptance of total strangers threw him, and he wasn’t sure whether she was naive, in light of some of the horrors he’d witnessed, or wonderful.
While he’d like to err on the side of wonderful, something gave him pause, and he kept walking.
“I haven’t thought about it. I haven’t been stateside for the holiday in a while.”
“I’d like you to see Hollydale like I do, since this is your first trip to the place where Shelby wants Danny to grow up. If you take the time to look around you, you’ll understand why. Then it will be easier to go along with what she wanted.” Natalie’s voice was as warm as the sunbeams radiating the town, giving no sign of nervousness that he’d be taking Danny away permanently. “There’s the town square with the gazebo and people enjoying the fresh air. Or if buildings are more your thing, check out the architectural details on our City Hall. When was the last time you strolled along, soaking in the beauty of what’s around you? Look at the mountains, breathe in the sweet air, feel the sunshine on your skin.”
Somehow, she made being alive feel like a big thrill. Military life had jaded him—the sight of children clutching a blanket and knowing that was their only remaining possession or the sight of a mother burying her child drove home reality in a way he’d never be able to forget.
And yet, Natalie wanted him to revel in decorations? He wasn’t sure he was ready to do that. Diverting attention away from him was a wise tactical move. Focusing it on Danny would be even better. “You were right about talking without Danny around.”
“My mom was happy to watch him. You should consider Shelby’s wishes and let him stay here.”
“I can’t leave my nephew in the hands of a total stranger.”
She recoiled and moved her hand away. “I’m not a stranger to Danny. You’re more of a stranger since you haven’t seen him much over the years.”
“I’m his uncle, and he’s my family.”
“Family is more than skin-deep. Take my parents. They loved Shelby and took her under their wing. They’ve done the same with Danny.”
He had to concede her point about families. After college, the army had become his family. “And Fort Lewis will care for Danny in the same way. Besides, I won’t be in the military forever.”
“If memory serves me right, you have another year. That’s a long time.”
“Yes, and it’s five if I want to take full retirement. Actually, I’ve been in talks with a private security corporation in Washington, DC, about a position that would utilize my linguistic skills in conjunction with their military contracts. My reenlistment date is a year from now, and they’re willing to wait for me.” While the job offer was impressive, he’d decided against taking it and instead had planned to finish his remaining years in the military until his retirement. Now, however, with Shelby asking for Danny to live in one place, he’d contact the company and see if the offer was still open.
And Ms. Romano couldn’t fault the idea of a Virginia suburb for Danny, which would offer everything from the finest schools to easy access to museums and stadiums for catching a ball game together.
Someone called out Natalie’s name. She waved and yelled out a greeting before returning her attention back to him. “That’s still twelve months away.”
“It might hurt him more in the long run to form a deep attachment to Hollydale and then leave.”
“His therapist says this is a crucial time for him. He needs a support system.”
Support systems could let a person down. He knew that too well. His father had remarried after his mother’s death. Shelby’s mom, Cathy, had possessed the same ability as Natalie to make friends at first sight, the rare exception being his young self, who’d chafed at someone taking his mother’s place. As soon as Shelby came along, it was easier for Cathy to devote herself to her baby than a sullen kid. It was sometimes hard to believe they were all gone, as his father and Cathy had died in a car accident the summer before Shelby started college.
“Fort Lewis will provide that, too.” He glanced at her, the wrong thing to do with the slight breeze ruffling her pretty sundress.
“Hollydale is already providing that. Name me one aspect of the town you’ve noticed since leaving Penelope’s office.”
“The sign explained how hollyhocks are the reason behind Hollydale’s name, the historic post office, four cars in the parking lot next to the coffeehouse, an SUV in the drive-through at the utilities office, and four parents and toddlers entering the library indicating some sort of story time hour.”
“I’m impressed. Sometime I’ll tell you about Deb, who owns the coffeehouse, and Kate, the new librarian.” She widened her smile, one crooked incisor only adding to her charm. “It’s hard to believe I’ve only just met you. I’ve heard so much about you from Shelby over the years that it seems as though we’re old friends.”
“Natalie! Wait a second!” A woman’s voice heralded from the front porch of a yellow Victorian, and he and Natalie came to a stop.
The woman ran toward them. Natalie met the blonde halfway, embracing her before grasping her hand and pulling her to the sidewalk where he stood. “I want to introduce you to someone.”
Natalie resumed her place by his side, and it was almost as if she already belonged there. “Lucie Spindler, meet Major Aidan Murphy, Danny’s uncle.”
Lucie extended her hand, her firm grip lasting but a second. “My twins, Mattie and Ethan, want to know if Danny can come over next week for a playdate. You’re more than welcome to tag along, Major Murphy.”
“I should warn you about her miniature pigs, Fred and Ethel. They stole the limelight at her wedding.” Natalie squeezed his arm, and he couldn’t help but wonder why he was drawn to her. She didn’t fit in with his schedule or his plans for Danny. “Ethel tends to flirt with attractive men.”
Natalie finds me attractive?
Lucie stepped back and waved. “I have to run. Call me and we’ll schedule that playdate. Glad you’ve finally arrived in Hollydale, Major Murphy.”
“Call me Aidan, and Danny might...” He stopped when he found himself addressing Lucie’s back. Not for the first time in Hollydale, he claimed a deep breath and recovered his bearings, the bed-and-breakfast his destination for now.
Natalie fell back into step alongside him. “She’s right, you know.”
“About what?” Only a block to go.
“It’s about time that you arrived in Hollydale.” She gave him a curt nod and walked on.
She was no longer next to him, but he refused to feel sorry she was no longer there. Best not to go down a path he had no intention of traveling. Once he left the military and began private security work, he’d find someone on his timeline, someone more practical, whose hair wasn’t the color of rubies. “We’re almost at the Eight Gables,” she called out. “There’s an area in Reception where we can talk uninterrupted about Danny.”
Within five minutes of first arriving at his temporary lodgings, he’d scoped out all the entrances and exits and uncovered every nook. Though he wasn’t wearing his uniform at the time, it didn’t make him any less aware of his environment. Even now, he could identify the five adults, two Labrador retrievers and one stroller with an infant in a police lineup.
They arrived at the bed-and-breakfast, the cream exterior showing signs of recent painting. According to the information on its website, the farmhouse traced its origins back to early last century, when it was a hotel for temporary timber workers, and the eight gables gave it its name. The side porch featured two rocking chairs, both of which were occupied by an older couple with an equally ancient mutt at their feet. Even in the daylight, the porch lanterns glowed a golden beam, beckoning tourists and locals alike for afternoon tea, which the owners included in their lodging fee. He hadn’t come to Hollydale, however, for tea.
Natalie bounded up the steps with him as if this were a new adventure rather than likely a serious discussion with consequences for all of them. “I hope we’re in time for tea. Ginny’s lemon squares are legendary.”
He drew in a deep breath. “Life isn’t all bunting and lemon squares, Miss Harrison.”
“There’s never anything wrong with making each day special, Aidan.” She stressed his first name as he opened the front door for her, shooting him a look that said they were well past formal last names. “Life is too short to do anything else.”
He gave a clipped nod as she passed. Anything so she wouldn’t guess the turmoil within him. Going against Shelby’s last wishes. Finding a nephew who was undergoing counseling with a therapy dog. Fighting an attraction to a woman who took a different approach to life. “Wait here. I’ll be right back.”
Approaching the registration desk, he wondered if he was doing this backward. Informing Lieutenant Colonel Thrasher should have come first, but with Natalie watching from a few feet away, firming up his itinerary gained priority. Extending his reservation would settle his nerves.
Aidan rang the bell and waited. He tapped his loafer impatiently against the cherry hardwood. Once he extended his stay past Monday, he’d start acclimating Danny to a new routine. It seemed like he was forgetting something, but for the life of him, he couldn’t remember what.
A light touch at his wrist proved Natalie could walk with stealth when she needed to. “There’s something you should know.”
He heard footsteps rushing along the corridor, and Ginny hurried over to the desk. “Major Murphy. So good to see you. Is everything satisfactory with your room?” The owner, who was most likely in her sixties, beamed as she wiped her hands on the lacy apron covering her linen pantsuit.
“I need to extend my visit. One more week ought to do it.” Pressure increased on his wrist, but he kept himself from looking at Natalie, knowing there might be a frown or other disapproving look on her sweet face. If she thought he was going to draw this out, however...
“I’m very sorry, but we’re totally booked. I have your reservation confirmed until Monday, but you’ll have to make other arrangements after that.” The owner tilted her head and lowered her eyebrows along with a sympathetic smile. “Your original call came on the heels of a last-minute cancellation. Because of the circumstances with your sister and nephew—” her lips turned into a sad semblance of a frown “—I bumped you ahead of the people on the waiting list.”
Natalie almost cut off the circulation in his right wrist, and she jerked her free thumb toward the porch. “I think I might have the solution.”
He’d seen her small cottage. While her sofa invited a person to settle in with a good football game and maybe a bottle of beer, it would make for poor sleeping. Still, he followed her outside, organizing a polite rejection speech for whatever she suggested.
“Before you say no, hear me out.” Her voice contained the smile he already associated with her.
“What made you think I was about to say no?”
She laughed and pushed back her wavy hair. “Your shoulders, your eyes, the way you’re leaning against the siding with your jaw clenched.”
Moving away from the building, he tried to relax, but his shoulders refused to cooperate. Good thing, given how she already read him better than most new recruits. “While sleeping in the same room as Danny or on your sofa would facilitate getting to know him more quickly, I’ll find other lodgings.”
“People make reservations around here weeks or months in advance. Summer’s a popular season, much to my brother’s chagrin but my sister-in-law’s delight.” She must have seen the look of confusion he couldn’t hold back. “My brother is the sheriff, and Georgie is a mechanic. More people bring more trouble, and more tourists need Georgie’s services. Still, I have another place in mind.”
“What’s your suggestion?”
“Shelby’s house.”
* * *
NATALIE PULLED INTO her driveway, only too aware of the man driving the rental car behind her. Somehow, she had to convince him she was the best thing for Danny.
Which she was. He just didn’t know it yet.
Too often she caught people off guard. They assumed she was flighty simply because she liked to see the good in folks and the world around her. Francisco was one of the rare ones. From the moment they met, they laughed and bolstered each other’s strengths. She reached up and touched the pendant on her necklace for encouragement. At least time allowed her to smile at his memory now.
She was confident that someday she’d be able to say the same about losing her best friend.
From the parked car, she tried to
see Shelby’s house through Aidan’s eyes. Since it was next door to hers, she mowed both lawns at the same time. Even though the yard was in tip-top shape, the house looked forlorn, she admitted, lost somehow without a family of its own. She exited her SUV at the same time he emerged from his rental. He strode toward her.
“I thought you were going to drive me to Shelby’s house.” He reeled off an address, and Natalie shook her head.
“That’s her business address downtown.” Natalie pointed at the blue craftsman, and they walked over to it together. “This was her residence. She used the small insurance policy your mom left behind to make a dent in the purchase price of the business and the rest for the down payment and a year’s worth of mortgage payments. Originally, she considered living above the café, but she wanted Danny to have a yard. I think she really wanted her own room and didn’t like the idea of sleeping on the couch.”
Rummaging through her purse, Natalie shoved aside a couple of granola bars, Danny’s favorite Matchbox car and some pencil grippers until she found the spare set of keys Shelby had foisted upon her. She unlocked the door and stood back, but Aidan remained rooted on the porch.
“What happened to the café?”
Natalie removed the key from the door and handed it to him. “The space is empty at the moment.” She paused, remembering how excited Shelby had been when she’d come up with the name for it. “In fact, it never got going. You have the financial authority, according to Mr. Mahoney. I have no control over that.” She held up her hand and cut him off before he defended himself. “I know. You were off the grid or it went to spam. Your sister set everything up to give herself one year to make the business work.”
Shelby had loved to plan while Natalie often flew by the seat of her pants, something they had oddly bonded over. Shelby had been shocked when she found herself with two blue lines on a pregnancy test, but she never looked back, working hard to provide a loving home for her son.